Cyberpunk Movies: Our List 45 Most Popular
Cyberpunk Movies. Cyberpunk movies are a new genre that is growing in popularity. They were previously a sub-genre of Sci-fi movies, but now they have their own niche.
Cyberpunk, for those who don’t know is a term Bruce Bethke coined to describe a dystopian future society in which technology, specifically cybernetics, has taken control of the world.
In the early days of computers and the internet, people would describe the situation as Machines taking control of the world.
This is evident in the 1927 film Metropolis. All those far-fetched futures and wild ramblings became more real as the internet, A.I. and robots became a reality.
Cyberpunk became more popular because they were not considered wild anymore. Cyberpunk movies offer a glimpse into the not-so distant future, even though our society is not dystopian.
My List Of 46 Cyberpunk movies.
46/ RoboCop (1987)
Cyberpunk Movies. A police officer in a dystopian Strait is killed by crime and returns to life as a powerful Cyborg, haunted by buried pasts.
45/ Nirvana (1997)
Cyberpunk Movies. Nirvana, an Italian film about how to overcome rejection and loss through the religious concept Nirvana, is called Nirvana.
Jimi, a game developer, creates a new Okasama Star game where Solo is the main character.
Solo is sentient due to a computer virus and pleads for Jimi’s help to delete the game and kill his character.
Solo states that he can’t continue to suffer and die multiple times throughout the game. Jimi feels the pain he is feeling after the death of his girlfriend.
The movie’s remainder is about Jimi and his friends stealing Okasama Star’s main servers and deleting the game.
As a symbol of power, destruction, death, and time, the movie’s poster promotes it.
44/ Burst city (1982)
Burst City, a Japanese action thriller, is set in a future where technology is used by the government and police to subjugate and force citizens.
Two distinct focus points are the basis of the film’s plot. The first is a nuclear power station, the second is a case of murder.
Tokyo’s citizens are divided into distinct classes. They spend their time partying, racing cars and brawling.
They protest when they learn that a new nuclear power station will be built in the area.
A mute boy with his friend is also on the trail of Yakuza members who have killed his brother.
After realizing that the nuclear power plant was being run by the same businessmen who murdered their brother, both groups came together.
To fight corruption, all forces must work together.
43/ Hackers (1995)
Cyberpunk Movies. Hackers is a cult favorite from the early days of the internet. This film portrays the hacker community as they had ideals and manifestos. They believed that curiosity was the motivating factor.
As the motivation, crime and malfeasance weren’t considered. Crash Override Dade (or Dade) is an ethical hacker with a criminal record from a childhood crime.
He meets a group of talented hackers in high school. As luck would have it one of his friends is caught up with the Secret Service.
Dade and his hacker buddies must rise to capture the original criminal and rescue their friend.
Angelina Jolie and Johnny Lee Miller met while filming this movie. They fell in love. After the film’s release, they were married and then divorced four years later.
42/ The Lawnmower Man (1992)
The Lawnmower Man tells the story of a gardener who becomes a research subject for a scientist trying to improve the brain’s ability to understand.
Dr. Larry Angelo, a scientist, picks Jobe Smith, a simple-minded gardener to experiment on. Dr. Angelo is able to improve Jobe Smith’s intelligence using psychoactive drugs as well as virtual reality.
The trouble begins when Jobe decides that he will take over the experiment. He makes himself the digital god.
Stephen King’s Lawnmower Man script and another script, CyberGod, were used to create the film script. King sued the producers to remove his name from the credits.
41/ Mute (2018)
Cyberpunk Movies. Mute, also known as Moon II, is the sequel to Moon. Based on Madi: Once Upon A Time In The Future, the story is based.
The film takes place in the future, where two surgeons operate an illegal business of cybernetic surgery, prostitution, and other related activities.
A mute waitress falls in love with a bartender, but she is also connected to a surgeon in this illegal industry.
The film drags the bartender, who is mute, into its fold until his life is in danger. Critics compared the film to Blade Runner and criticized it.
Duncan Jones, David Bowie’s son, is the film’s director. This film has been dedicated to his father.
40/ Virtuosity (1995)
Virtuosity, a futuristic crime thriller, stars Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. These two actors and stars were able to compete for Academy Awards awards on numerous occasions.
SID 6.7 is a virtual reality simulation of over 150 serial killers from history. He was created to serve as a training simulator for LA police officers.
This highly intelligent and psychotic personality has embraced nanotechnology in order to escape to the real world. Parker Barnes must now capture him and end his terror reign.
Pure vector calculations were used to create the CG effects on this film. This was considered to be state-of the-art technology. It was however primitive and tacky in comparison to the CG work done on Jurassic Park.
39/ Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Cyberpunk Movies. Johnny Mnemonic is a film that was inspired by the William Gibson novel. The film takes place in 2021, when the majority of the world is addicted and suffering from Nerve Attenuation syndrome.
This condition is perpetuated by the megacorporations that rule the world. Johnny Mnemonic is equipped with a cybernetic brain implant, which contains all the knowledge and information that can be used to expose the truth.
This is his last chance to avoid becoming the target of conspiracy theorists and megacorporations.
Mnemonic is seen ordering an iPhone in Crazy Bob’s Computer Store scene. The iPhone was not yet created at the time the film was made.
38/ Hardware (1990)
Hardware is a British production based on SHOK! Source: Judge Dredd Annual 1981. After winning the case, the film was sued for plagiarising the story. Later they were given credit for the work.
A nomad finds the body parts of an ex-cyborg while salvaging robot parts. It was hidden in a deserted area.
These parts are sent to a scrap dealer, who inadvertently causes the cyborg’s repair and activation.
The reactivated Cyborg goes on a murder spree. Mixed reviews were received by critics. While they appreciated the cautionary tale, they found it too gory and loud.
37/ Fortress (1992)
Fortress is located in a futuristic prison, where a powerful computer system manages all prisoners with an iron fist.
Zed-10 is a computer system that manages security and closely monitors inmates with CCTVs. It monitors their dreams, and through implants, it serves severe mental and physical pain.
Brennick and his wife broke the law by having their second child. They escape to Mexico but are captured and sent to the Fortress, a private prison for 31 years.
Brennick is eager to get out of prison as his wife is about for birth. They wanted Arnold Schwarzenegger to star in the film, so they had an initial budget of $70million.
He backed out and the budget was reduced to $12 million. It was a success and it earned $48 millions worldwide.
36/ The Matrix Revolutions
The Wachowskis created The Matrix Revolutions, the third installment of The Matrix trilogy. The Matrix Revolutions can only be viewed as a continuation of the plot from the first two films. In this film we also see the end of the Machine war.
While the system tries unsuccessfully to stop Neo, Trinity and Morpheus from releasing humans from the Matrix, they continue to pursue the Architect.
The final film shows Morpheus returning to Zion to take part in the Machines vs Machines showdown. Neo and Trinity embark on a suicide mission in order to negotiate with the leader of the machine city and stop the rogue program Agent Smith.
Like the two other Matrix films it features cutting-edge CGI and incredible stunts. It also has superb martial arts choreography and a compelling narrative.
35/ Screamers (1995)
Screamers takes place in the distant future, where man has discovered alien life forms and explored the universe. We created the Autonomous Mobile Swords robot army to protect humanity from alien life. These robots are self-repairing and can be replicated.
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Man has traveled with them to Sirius 6B in order to broker a peaceful settlement. The unit’s commanding officer is disappointed to discover that the powers-that-be have doubled crossed them. He believes that New Economic Black is the only way to save the unit.
Problem is, the AMS (or Screamers) unit is scattered across the globe and does not distinguish between humans and aliens before they kill them.
Philip K. Dick’s short story Second Variety inspired the film. He is also the author of several novels, which were adapted into films such as Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly and Blade Runner.
34/ Cyberpunk (1990)
Cyberpunk is a documentary about the origins and meaning of Cyberpunk, a subgenre that includes movies, art and music.
William Gibson, author of Neuromancer, is featured in the documentary. He provides an overview of cyberpunk and the importance of the Internet in this revolution, as well as techno music and art.
We also get to meet the computer hackers and techno-artists who were previously referred to as “crazy people”, “computer hackers” or “computer artists”.
The documentary’s second half also features Dr. Timothy Leary who discusses the use of psychedelic drug in the cyberpunk movement.
33/ The Running Man (1987)
The Running Man is based upon the Stephen King novel of the same title written by Richard Bachman.
The story revolves around The Running Man, a game show that pits prisoners against gladiators to win freedom.
In 2019, America had become a police state, where the government controlled media and entertainment. The Running Man is the most popular government-run television show. It features gladiator-like fighters and criminals as well as innocent civilians. You are forced to take part in a race for freedom.
Although the film is based upon a Stephen King novel by Stephen King, a lawsuit found that The Running Man was a plagiarism of Le Prix du danger, a French movie, which was made in 1983.
32/ Elysium (2013)
Elysium, a space station orbiting the Earth, houses luxury living arrangements for the wealthy and powerful.
While they have the most advanced technology, weapons, medicine, and defense, Earth is still plagued by poverty, overpopulation and disease. Multiple times, society is seen as a contradiction between the haves and the have-nots.
Max is a do-not and works in a factory with dangerous working conditions. Max is being exposed to radiation, and must reach Elysium in five days to save his life.
A hacker offers to help him steal sensitive information from a rich CEO in order to achieve this. This information could put at risk the coup d’etat attempt against Elysium.
Sharlto Copley plays Agent Kruger as South African. Copley auditioned for the role and offered a variety of accents for the villain, including an American accent, an Eastern European accent, and a British accent. He finally settled on an Afrikaner accent.
31/ Demolition Man (1993)
Demolition Man is an science fiction movie that depicts a future in which there is no crime and all peaceful citizens are governed under strict, overbearing laws.
Many civil liberties are being violated, leading to an underground movement that opposes the government.
John Spartan, a 1996 police officer who is honest and determined, has a tendency to destroy property while he’s fighting crime.
He causes the deaths of his hostages while trying to capture the notorious crime lord Simon Phoenix. Both Phoenix and Spartan were thus cryogenically frozen.
They must call Spartan back to capture Phoenix in 2032, when he escapes from prison and begins to cause havoc.
Stallone admitted that he was scared during the scenes of cryo-freezing.
30/ Megazone 23, 1985
Megazone 23 is a Japanese animated film that consists of four parts. Earth is uninhabitable in the distant future due to environmental problems.
Humanity has moved to space colonies called Megazones. The government of Megazone 23 is engaged in battle against another Megazone.
They created a test bike that can be transformed into a mecha for their battle against the enemy colonies.
Shogo Yahagi receives this new bike and discovers that they aren’t living on Earth, but in a space colony.
This video series consisted of four parts. The first was the most popular. Cyberpunk and sci-fi movies are inspired by the idea of alternate reality becoming the norm.
29/ Logan’s Run (1976)
Logan’s Run is based upon the novel by George Clayton Johnson and William F. Nolan.
It portrays a dystopian world where youth dominates the world and controls lives, resources, etc. It is a very large extent.
Society is peaceful, happy, technology-driven. There are many opportunities for happiness and plenty of it. Under the surface, however, the government conceals a dark secret: strict regulations and punishments are used to make society better.
Logan lived the good life until it was time for him to die.
This film’s society was so young-focused that citizens were required to wear clothing that indicated their age. Most of the cast wore red.
Only the Sandmen wore black clothes with silver lines. The Clean-up men wore the opposite pattern.
28/ Wax or The Discovery Of Television Among The Bees (1991)
Cyberpunk Movies. Wax or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees, is a documentary drama by David Blair.
The film was directed by, produced, and starred as he wrote it. The Discovery of Television Among the Bees, also known as Wax, has the distinction of being the first film streamed online in 1993.
This documentary is about technological advances in military, defense, warfare. It discusses the gulf conflict, drone warfare, as well as the future of technology through digital animation, found footage and regular film footage.
This film examines the web’s potential.
27/ Dark City (1998)
Dark City is a neonoir sci-fi movie that takes place in a dystopian future where it is always nighttime.
Murdoch awakes in this new world without any recollection or memory of his identity. He discovers that he is a suspect in several murders and that a group pale-faced people are following him around.
Murdoch begins to unravel the mysteries of his life and realizes that he is able to use psychokinesis to change the world.
This power allows him to escape the Strangers who are following him and to solve all his questions.
Satya Gumbert and Noah Gumbert played Mr. Sleep in the film. They were both fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Richard O’Brien would then narrate the film for entertainment.
26/ World On A Wire (1973)
Cyberpunk Movies. World On A Wire, a German cyberpunk movie, is based on Simulacron-3’s novel by Daniel F. Galouye. The Thirteenth Floor was made in 1999 using the same theme.
World On A Wire, however, portrayed the philosophy and human aspects of The Thirteenth Floor’s story.
The latest version of a simulation video game, which has more than 9000 human characters, is housed in a supercomputer. The technical director of the program is about to make a breakthrough when he vanishes.
His successor is soon suspect. He slowly realizes that they are all part of a simulation and that their world is not real.
25/ A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
A. I. Artificial Intelligence is a Steven Speilberg movie that was inspired by Brian Aldiss’s short story Supertoys Last All Summer Long.
Spielberg wrote and directed the screenplay. Androids are a reality in a post-climate changing society. David is an android child, with the ability of loving like a child.
A family adopts him from their son who is still cryo-frozen. They love David initially like they would their own child. But once their son returns, they abandon David.
David, a brokenhearted man, longs for his mother’s affection and searches for her everywhere. Haley Joel Osment practiced not blinking long periods of time to prepare for his role in the android role. Jude Law practiced being Fred Astaire-like by watching and practicing.
24/ Total Recall (1990)
Total Recall is a Paul Verhoeven movie based on the story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick. In 2012, the film was remade with the same story. The future will see man colonizing Mars.
Strange dreams about Mars are the dream of a construction worker. He is more suppressed the more he attempts to understand the meaning of his dream.
The truth is revealed by the man, who has his memories wiped clean and discovers the secrets of the organization responsible for colonizing Mars in order to establish a dystopian society.
This was Sharon Stone’s first film role. The director was impressed by her ability to transform from a charming and innocent woman into a fighter machine in a matter of seconds. He cast her in Basic Instinct.
23/ Archive (2020)
Cyberpunk Movies. Archive is a story about love, human nature and refusing to accept death. Gavin Rothery directed his directorial debut.
The film was not released widely due to the COVID-19 lockdown. It was only available digitally and in a handful of theaters.
The story centers on the efforts of a scientist who lives in a far future. He is determined to create and perfect an A.I. robot that is as human-like as possible. His efforts may conceal a hidden motive.
22/ THX 1138 (1971)

George Lucas’ directorial debut film, THX 1138, is a film written by and directed. Lucas wrote the story while he was studying at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Initial reviews were mixed. Star Wars gave the film a new life and it gained a cult following.
The story takes place in a far future where society is tightly controlled and regulated. This dystopian world is ruled by technology, androids, and machines. Mood suppressants are used to put an end to any thoughts of rebellion or change.
A man THX 1138 can develop a conscience and emotions in this controlled environment. He plans to make a difference in the lives of others with the support of a female LUH3417.
21/ Dredd (2012)
Dredd is a comic-book adaptation of 2000 AD, which featured Judge Dredd’s comic strip.
Carlos Ezquerra and John Wagner created the comic strip. Judge Dredd takes place in a dystopian future where America is a desert after the end of the apocalyptic events.
Judges are police officers that act as judges, juries and executioners. They have unquestioned authority. Judge Dredd, the most fearful judge, is one of the most well-known.
Dredd is called to action in the film to fight a new drug called Slo-Mo. This alters reality and makes it a fraction slower than it actually is.
Karl Urban, the actor who played Dredd, revealed that Alex Garland produced the screenplay and wrote it. He is also the unofficial director of film.
20/ Tron (1982)
Cyberpunk Movies. Tron is about a group of computer programs who work together against the MCP tyranny. The MCP, a master control program with virtual intelligence, plans to overthrow other powerful programs in order to increase its control over servers.
Kevin Flynn, a game developer, was once employed by ENCOM. He is now disgruntled that Dillinger has plagiarized his work.
Flynn hacks ENCOM servers in an attempt to find evidence against Dillinger. Flynn is then sucked into the server by the MCP, who digitizes him and plans for Flynn’s death within the system.
Tron was one of the first films to ever use computer-generated imagery or CGI technology. The Academy Award for Special Effects disqualified Tron from the Academy Award for Best Film, as it used CGI in a way that was not ethical.
19/ Videodrome (1983)
Videodrome, a science fiction horror film about the future of television and other video programming, is called “Videodrome”.
Small-time TV channels can survive by broadcasting questionable content, such as snuff movies. Max Renn is the channel’s CEO and is always on the lookout to find more disturbing programming.
He discovers a disturbing satellite signal broadcasting torture and murder throughout the day. Max Renn broadcasts these programs despite warnings from Professor Brian O’Blivion.
Soon he realizes that the programs send subliminal messages to assassinate and murder targets. Videodrome recorded three endings to the movie.
The ending of the final cut is suggested by James Wood, the lead actor.
18/ Strange Days (1995)
Cyberpunk Movies. Strange Days was directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by James Cameron.
It received mixed reviews. Many praised the film’s gritty atmosphere and performances by the leads.
Others felt the movie did not comment on the injustices of the racial violence in LA and the police role during the 1992 race riots.
Lenny, a retired cop, trades illegally in recordings of events and emotions using SQUID (an illegal recording device).
He longs to see his ex-girlfriend who is a singer and goes to meet him. Unknown persons drop a SQUID recording in his car at the same time. This recording exposes the ugly truth about the riots.
Bigelow didn’t want the point of view scenes to be shot using traditional camera techniques. Cameron’s production company designed a special camera to be used for these sequences.
17/ EXistenZ (1999)
eXistenZ is about the future gaming world, in which organic gaming devices will replace electronic ones. This cyberpunk movie, which was directed by David Cronenberg, received positive reviews from critics, but failed at the box-office.
Allegra Geller, a prominent game developer, is the creator of eXistenz. While she is playing the game at a convention, she is attacked by an organic weapon-wielding fanatic.
Pikul, an intern, helps her to escape, but the only copy is damaged.
Geller and Pikul need to save the game and discover who is behind it. Hungarian producers produced the film. Ian Holms’ character exclaims “Koszonom” when they operate from Allegra’s game pod.
16/ The Thirteenth Level (1999)
The Thirteenth Floor takes place in the virtual reality world of simulation games. Based on Simulacron-3, a novel by Daniel F. Galouye, the plot. Although the film received negative reviews, many critics found it confusing. However, they were impressed by the visuals.
The film begins in 1999, when a video game company creates a virtual reality simulation. It is set in 1937 America.
The game cannot be released until the owner of the company passes away, at which point the next heir becomes prime suspect.
He appears innocent but all evidence points to him. The truth is out after a long and complicated game of cat-and-mouse.
The film was released together with The Matrix in 1999. The film was nominated in visuals but The Matrix took home the award.
15/ TRON: Legacy (2010)
Cyberpunk Movies. TRON: Legacy is the sequel of the 1982 film Tron. Steven Lisberger (director of Tron) returned as producer for the sequel with Joseph Kosinski serving as director.
The film is similar to the first film in that it uses a virtual reality world as its inhabitants and houses various computer programs.
Kevin Flynn’s son, Sam Flynn, is furious at his father for his disappearance 20 years ago.
Alan Bradley releases Sam after he is arrested and informs him of a pager message that his father sent. Sam is taken to an old arcade where he finds a working system and is then sucked into Grid.
Sam must catch the criminal and get away. The film’s gaming costumes cost $60000. The suits were equipped with lithium batteries that powered the lights.
14/ The Matrix Reloaded 2003
The Matrix Reloaded 2 is the sequel to the Matrix Trilogy. The film brings back the majority of the cast members from the original film.
The third film introduces new characters, and the plot reaches its climax with the introduction of many new characters. The first film sees Neo escape from the Matrix and become The One who saves the people from the machines.
Neo continues his efforts to save Zion from being under threat by the machines in this film. They realise that in order to save humanity they must meet The Keymaker, defeat The Merovingian and meet The Architecture to broker a peaceful settlement for Zion.
The Wachowskis wanted Jet Li to play the role of Seraph. However, Neo was more expensive than Neo.
They also wanted Sean Connery to star in The Architect. However, he didn’t understand the concept.
13/ The City Of Lost Children (1995)
The City of Lost Children is a film produced by France, Germany and Spain. Jean-Pierre Jeunet narrates the story. Gilles Adrien is the director.
It takes place in an unspecified future, where a scientist creates humans and clones them. Only then does he abandon them.
The mad scientist creates a scheme to kidnap and steal dreams from the children cloned. These dreams are supposed keep the clones young.
He decides to save his adopted brother from a circus strongman when the clones kidnap him.
This film uses a unique color scheme. It was created by applying white makeup to all actors and then adjusting the color theme until they reached a flesh tone. This affected all other colors.
12/ The Fifth Element (1997)
Cyberpunk Movies. The Fifth Element is a Sci-Fi film by Luc Besson. He was sixteen years old when he wrote the story and made the film at thirty-eight.
The film was also one of the most expensive French films until 2011, when it was overthrown by The Intouchables. It’s the 23rd Century, and evil is threatening the Earth.
The fifth element, which comes to Earth every five thousand years, can save it. She lands on Korben Dallas’ cab.
He must assist the fifth element to find the other elements and deflect the impending doom.
Luc Besson wanted the future to be bright and vibrant, which was not possible with other apocalyptic movies. Jean “Moebius” Giraud, a comic artist, and Jean-Claude Mezieres were hired to create the imagery.
11/ Ghost In The Shell (1995)
Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese anime movie that is based upon a manga series by Masamune Shirow.
This movie is considered one of the greatest anime films in its category and has inspired many Hollywood directors such as James Cameron, The Wachowskis, etc.
Cyborgs will be everywhere in 2029. We also have the technology to connect our brains to the internet.
Puppet Master, a hacker known as Puppet Master, is disrupting the system in an attempt to steal data and commit other crimes.
Officer Motoko Kusanagi is a member of Section-9, a secretive section that plans to capture Puppet Master. Masamune Shirow gave the manga series Ghost in the Shell his name in tribute to Arthur Koestler’s The Ghost in the Machine.
10/ I, Robot (2004)
Cyberpunk Movies. I, Robot is based upon the story of Jeff Vintar, inspired by Isaac Asimov’s book I, Robot.
Vintar used I, Robot as the basis for the story. Critics didn’t like the plot, although the audience loved it and it was a big hit.
Dr. Lanning founded U. S. Robotics. This robotics company is the most recognized and has placed a robot in every American’s home.
The movie is set in the future, where robots are ubiquitous and all walks of life are affected. Dr. Lanning is killed by his robot Sonny in this scene.
There is however a darker plot at work. It could lead to a radical change in how we view these robots and the way they are used.
9/ Ready Player One (2018)
Cyberpunk Movies. Ready Player One is a virtual reality game about who will be the first to own the largest company that creates VR products and games.
Based on Ernest Cline’s novel, the story. Wade Watts lives in an alternate world where virtual reality simulations are a constant companion at the expense of his family and personal life.
Everybody is connected to OASIS VR Universe that offers all types of entertainment. The company’s owner dies and the treasure hunt begins. This could determine the next owner.
This creates a huge sensation and everyone wants to win. This Steven Spielberg movie has many pop-culture references to films such as Back to the Future and The Shining.
Spielberg described the film as one of his most difficult films.
8/ Blade Runner (1982)
Cyberpunk Movies. Blade Runner, a cyberpunk classic directed by Ridley Scott, is based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
It was a hit and also spawned a sequel, Blade Runner 2049. Man has created replicants, an android that does all the work for us in the future dystopian society.
These androids are created by Tyrell Corporation for specific purposes. Blade runners are police officers who track down and kill runaway replicants.
Deckard, a Blade Runner, falls for Rachel a replicant while chasing dangerous replicants. This causes a shift in the fight for freedom through replicants.
Rutger Hauer plays Batty as the leader in the replicant resistance and delivers a touching Tears In Rain monologue before he passes away.
Hauer improvised this monologue from a complex speech in order to increase its impact.
7/ The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is the best example of cyberpunk; it is the first film in the Matrix franchise, with three sequels.
The film was inspired by Japanese cyberpunk manga series Ghost in The Shell. The Wachowskis directed it.
Neo is a hacker at night who wanders the web in search for the truth. Trinity contacts him and offers him a chance to see the world behind a curtain.
Neo is introduced by Morpheus to his team. They open his eyes and show him a world where machines have created a virtual reality simulation to extract bio-energy from humans.
Keanu Reeves lost 15 pounds to achieve his emaciated, bald appearance in the pod. He also shaved all of his hair.
6/ Akira (1988)
Akira, a Japanese anime movie about a dystopian Tokyo thirty years after the end the third world war, is called “Akira”.
Akira is the most popular anime movie in the action, sci-fi and cyberpunk genres. It inspired the Akira bike slide.
Neo Tokyo, thirty years after the end WWIII, is once again a sprawling metropolis. It is run by corrupt businessmen and criminals as well as the military.
Tetsuo is a member of a biker gang. The military capture him and give him telekinetic powers that are similar to Akira.
He is now on the brink of destroying Neo Tokyo, much like Akira’s actions, and Shotaro Kaneda, the only one who can stop him, is standing in his way.
5/ Upgrade (2018)
Cyberpunk Movies. Upgrade is a Leigh Whannell movie that he directed and wrote. It received praise for its clever storytelling, dark humor and interesting plot.
The film was also well received by the audience. Grey is a technophobe who lives in a world that technology, artificial intelligence, and computer chips have taken over many industries.
After a car accident that left Grey paralysed and his wife killed, Grey decides to have a computer chip implant called STEM.
This chip allows him to regain motor functions, but loses control over his life. Upgrade’s story has been compared with Venom, where an alien symbiote takes control of his motor functions.
The lead actors in both films are identical, coincidentally.
4/ Gattaca (1997)

Gattaca isn’t your average cyberpunk movie in its core sense. Although it has been classified biopunk, Gattaca retains elements of science fiction. This is a dystopian society in which technology reigns supreme.
The film focuses on eugenics, where technology allows for genetic selection and discrimination. Genetic selection will become the norm in the future and all children born outside of this project will be discriminated against.
Freeman dreams of being in space. However, his invalid status prevents him from doing so. He is rejected for being born outside of the eugenics program.
Jerome and Freeman manage to fool the system with a clever plot and Jerome escapes into space.
Gattaca was released to market a marketing tactic that offered parents the chance to genetically engineer their children.
Surprisingly, many people expressed interest.
3/ Code 46

Code 46 is futuristic movie that’s a little different than the rest. It’s a British movie written and directed by Michael Winterbottom.
Code 46 takes place in a dystopian future in which everyone lives in densely populated cities (referred to as Inside) or in open spaces (referred to as Outside).
All things are strictly controlled and monitored. The insiders have all the modern medical and technological facilities, while the outsiders are left without them.
William will be responsible for looking into travel documents needed to enter the city if they are found to have been falsified.
He meets Maria, the forger and falls in love. However, their union is forbidden and they pay a heavy price.
This futuristic language is a combination of several world languages, including Spanish, French and Chinese.
2/ Brazil (1985)

Brazil is a dark comedy set in a dystopian society that is filled with totalitarianism and consumerism, bureaucracy and technocracy.
Low-level government workers dream of saving their lady love, while still working in boring jobs. Sam Lowry lives in a world that allows for excessive surveillance using flawed technology, which is often used by corrupt bureaucrats.
He hopes to rescue his lady love from false terrorist charges when he finds her.
The system isn’t willing to change or lose its status quo. Robert de Niro desired Jack Lint’s role, but Gilliam had already promised it to Michael Palin. So de Niro played Tuttle.
Katherine Helmond accepted the role of Mrs. Lowry, despite her ugly exterior.
1/ Metropolis (1927)

Metropolis, a 1927 movie, is an example of cyberpunk. It was made decades before computers, virtual reality and cyberspace existed.
Underground workers work in a fantastic metropolis in 2026. They are responsible for the happiness of those who live in the city’s suspended gardens. Workers revolt when an android is used.